Spurs stick with Pleat

David Pleat and Chris Hughton will remain in charge at Tottenham until the end of the season.

Pleat, the director of football, and Hughton, the first-team coach, were put in temporary charge in September following the dismissal of Glenn Hoddle after a dreadful start to the season.

The duo have lifted Spurs to 12th in the Barclaycard Premiership and taken them to the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup, with seven wins and two draws from 12 games.

Chairman Daniel Levy told the club's annual general meeting: "This will give the club the degree of continuity it needs until we make our most important managerial appointment. We will make that appointment in the summer."

Pleat began his managerial career in professional football with Luton in 1978, leading the club to the old First Division. He was first appointed Spurs boss in 1986 but despite a successful first season was sacked after disclosures about his private life were made public.

He went on to manage Leicester, Luton again and Sheffield Wednesday before returning to White Hart Lane in 1998 as director of football. He has been placed in temporary control on three occasions during that time.

Hughton holds UEFA's new pro-licence badge and was appointed first-team coach by Hoddle when he took over in April 2001 and is also assistant to Republic of Ireland coach Brian Kerr.

The club also revealed at today's annual general meeting that they have extended their shirt sponsorship deal with Thomson Holidays for a further two years.

Emerson Leao, coach of Brazilian club Santos, has meanwhile revealed that Spurs have made a new offer for midfielder Diego, who was close to joining the club back in August.

Tottenham then offered up to £6.9 million, but Santos president Marcelo Teixeira did not accept the offer because his club would have taken only half that fee, the player's father Djair Cunha being entitled to 50 per cent of any transfer.

Leao said: "There is a new offer for Diego, who really wants to go to Europe. His father is in close contact with the English people.

"But the president was very clear. If they pay what Santos want, then Diego leaves. If they don't, he stays."

It is believed that Santos want their slice of the deal to be worth £5.7million.

The Campeonato Brasileiro finishes this weekend and Santos will finish in second position.